Garry Hocking replaces Brad Gotch as South Adelaide coach in the SANFL
FORMER Geelong champion — and Port Adelaide SANFL boss — Garry Hocking has been appointed South Adelaide coach for the next two years.
FORMER Geelong champion Garry Hocking has been appointed South Adelaide coach for the next two years.
As predicted by the Advertiser last week, Hocking has replaced Brad Gotch, who has returned to Melbourne for family reasons and will work with Collingwood in an academy-development role.
Gotch coached the Panthers for the past three years, taking the club to two finals series, including the 2014 preliminary final, when the Panthers lost to the Hocking-coached Port Adelaide.
Hocking coached Port for the first two years after it became the Power reserves and also worked with the AFL side.
He was cut by the Power in September when his AFL contract expired.
A four-time best and fairest winner with Geelong and a four-time All Australian, Hocking also has coached the Western Jets, Peel Thunder and Geelong Falcons.
Gotch said the desire to be closer to his family in Victoria and the lure of returning to the AFL influenced his decision to leave Noarlunga, but he believed he was leaving the club in a strong position to compete for years to come.
“I was previously a coach with Collingwood for eight years and was a part of two grand final sides and won a premiership with its VFL affiliate Williamstown during my time there,” Gotch said.
“To go back to a club I have a history and passion for 10 years on as a more experienced coach was something I couldn’t pass up.”